Learn more about our appointment options, referrals, and resources that are at your disposal.
The AHN High-Risk Pancreas Cancer Clinic offers multidisciplinary, compassionate, and expert care for individuals who are at increased risk of pancreatic cancer. We aim to detect pancreatic cancer and precancerous conditions very early, often before symptoms appear, significantly improving the chances of successful treatment. Our team of specialists will work closely with you to create a personalized plan, including:
The AHN pancreas cancer program is recognized by The National Pancreas Foundation as a Pancreas Center of Excellence in both pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
While pancreatic cancer can be a serious disease, it’s important to remember that many cases aren't preventable. However, understanding the risk factors can help you make informed decisions about your health. Here are some of them:
It is important to remember that having one or more of these risk factors doesn't guarantee you will develop pancreatic cancer. Many people with these factors never develop the disease. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is always recommended for overall well-being, as is having your regular preventive care with your AHN doctor.
The multidisciplinary High-Risk Pancreas Clinic is focused on early identification of pancreatic cancer or precancerous lesions in patients at elevated risk. This clinic gives patients access to a team of experts to meet their individualized needs. At AHN, we see you as the individual patient you are with unique needs and care. Our High-Risk Pancreas Clinic is focused on compassionate and comprehensive care tailored to you. We offer innovative techniques including robotic and minimally invasive pancreatic surgery, stereotactic body radiation, and MRI to precisely remove pancreatic tumors.
Services offered:
AHN surgical oncology plays a vital role in treating pancreatic cancer when the cancer is found early and hasn't spread too far. The main surgical approach involves removing the cancerous part of the pancreas, along with nearby tissues and lymph nodes that might contain cancer cells. This is often a complex procedure because the pancreas is located deep within the abdomen and close to important blood vessels. The goal is to completely remove the cancer to prevent its return. Sometimes, depending on the location and spread of the cancer, a portion or even all of the pancreas may need to be removed. After surgery, people often need additional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. AHN has a full-scale oncology department that will help in treating the cancer.
Gastroenterology can play a crucial role in diagnosing and sometimes managing aspects of pancreatic cancer. AHN’s Gastroenterology Department provides CT scans, MRIs, and endoscopic studies for high-risk pancreas patients. This multidisciplinary approach works to get a full scope of the disease and determine what the best course of treatment will be for the specific patient.
AHN provides comprehensive cancer genetic services to help individuals understand and manage their risk. Our program includes genetic counseling, risk assessment, specialized screenings, and personalized treatment plans tailored to individuals with a family history cancer or other cancer-related genetic mutations. With the correlation between family history and an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer, AHN Genetics Department provides genetic evaluations based on personal health history, family history, and cancer risk. Based on these findings, your AHN care team will recommend a treatment plan addressing your genetic risk. This may involve increased screening, surgery, or medication.
The AHN Genetics Department is a referral-based area of expertise at AHN. This means your doctor or a member of your care team coordinates an appointment and will work the geneticists to make a plan for the correct type of screening. If you have any of the following conditions or family history, talk to your care provider.
A pancreas cancer diagnosis can be life-altering. At the AHN High-Risk Pancreas Cancer Clinic, you will receive specialty care from our team of compassionate, expert, and highly skilled doctors and cancer specialists. We focus on multidisciplinary care that is focused on the whole patient. The goal of comprehensive pancreatic surveillance is to improve survival through early detection (often before symptoms develop). This clinic gives patients access to a panel of experts who will formulate a plan to meet their individualized needs.
Surgical oncology
Kyla Morphy, MGC, LCGC
Genetic counselor manager
Jacqueline Hoover, MGC, LCGC
Genetic counselor
Amber Clifford, PA-C, MPAS
Physician assistant
Call (412) 359-3115 to schedule an appointment directly with the High-Risk Pancreas Cancer Clinic.
Epic referrals may be made to the Surgical Oncology High-Risk Pancreas Clinic.
Risk assessment will be performed by the multidisciplinary team. Personal medical history, comprehensive medical exam, and family history will be reviewed to determine your likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer. Imaging, endoscopy, and genetic counseling will be obtained as indicated. A personalized surveillance plan will be developed and implemented.
Clinical trials are research studies where new drugs or procedures are tested on willing patients. In cancer research, clinical trials set out to answer questions about ways to treat cancer, find and diagnose cancer, prevent cancer, or manage symptoms of cancer or its treatment. Choosing to join a clinical trial is something you, your care team, and your family can decide together. Clinical trials are open to people who meet certain research criteria and who choose to take part.
At AHN, we have an innovative clinical trial assessing the impact of exercise during chemotherapy on patients who are planning to undergo pancreas surgery. Find all our current active pancreas cancer clinical trials.
The AHN Cancer Institute is a pioneer in cancer research and participates in clinical trials of new medical oncology therapies that are open for patients who qualify and wish to participate. Patients are screened for consideration with ongoing clinical trials at every stage of their treatment.
Clinical trials are studies that try to answer questions about new ways to treat cancer with medications, radiation, or surgical techniques. Previous trials have shown how new methods of treatment improve survival and quality of life and reduce the risk of cancer returning.
You participate in a clinical trial only if you volunteer to do so and meet criteria for inclusion in the study, and you can stop participating in a trial at any time.
The plan for the trial, called a protocol, explains what the trial will do and how the study will be done. Based on the questions the research is trying to answer, each clinical trial protocol outlines specific criteria necessary to be eligible to join the trial.
Common criteria for entering a trial are:
Conducting clinical trials helps us contribute to Cancer Moonshot — an initiative created by President Joe Biden and the White House. The goal is to prevent more than 4 million cancer deaths by 2047 and improve the experience for people affected by cancer. We’re doing our part to join this fight by collaborating with more than 60 private companies, patient groups, academic institutions, and nonprofits.
If you would like to participate in a clinical trial and help our innovative team discover groundbreaking cancer solutions, ask your doctor if you’re eligible to participate in one. Find currently active clinical trials that are open for participation.
There are two ways for medical professionals, who are not a part of Allegheny Health Network, to refer their patients to an AHN specialist and request their first appointment. You can:
For more information about referring your patient to an AHN specialist, read the Independent Physician Referral FAQs.
After referring your patient to an AHN specialist, use the EpicCare Link platform to collaborate with their AHN specialist, view your patient's test results, treatment plan, and progress.
If you are new to EpicCare Link, or need to request your own EpicCare Link account, check the EpicCare Link for Patient Follow-up for user instructions and new account request forms.
If you can’t access your patient's AHN test results through the EpicCare Link platform, your patient will need to complete and submit the correct AHN Medical Records Release form, based on their state of residency. Support your patients’ request by downloading the correct medical records release form for them:
EpicCare® is a registered trademark of Epic Systems Corporation and used with permission.
EpicCare® Link™ is a trademark of Epic Systems Corporation and used with permission.
Learn more about our appointment options, referrals, and resources that are at your disposal.